'Overheated' Dryer Leads to Fire at Medford Street Home in Malden

An "overheated dryer" led to a basement fire at a Medford Street home Tuesday night in Malden, according to Deputy Fire Chief Leonard Dunn III.

At about 9:15 p.m. Oct. 29, police and firefighters responded to 343 Medford St. after Box 67 was struck for a working fire, according to Dunn. After smoke alarms in the two-story home were activated, the homeowner called 911, he added.

"The smoke alarms went off, alerting them to a fire in the basement," Dunn said. "It turns out the dryer was overloaded and overheated, caught fire and damaged the dryer and other nearby items."

According to Dunn, nearly 20 firefighters battled the blaze for about an half-hour, as it was contained mostly to the laundry room area in the basement. He noted that smoke was found throughout the home, so windows were opened and fans were run to help ventilate the house.

Meanwhile, the basement sustained the most damage from the fire and smoke, according to Dunn. 

While there were occupants inside the home, no one was injured during the fire, according to Dunn. He added that the fire was "accidental" and not suspicious in nature.

The site was cleared in about an hour, Dunn estimated, and Medford Fire covered the Pleasant Street station in Malden while firefighters tended to the blaze.